Material handling apparatus



Aug. 4, 1942. J. H. LXENAU EI'AL 2,291,971

MATERIAL HANDLING APPARATUS Filed June 15, 1940 s Sheets-Sheet 1 .Lienaw m JJJYPuman 1942- .1. H. LIENAU ETAL 2,291,971

MATERIAL HANDLING APPARATUS Filed June 15, 1940 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 I flfpO. 2. 0

(ZZZ z'emuz/ 7 Jtzmum Aug. 4, 1942. J UENAU EI-AL 7 2,291,971

IMTERIAL HANDLING APIARATUS Filed June 15, 1940 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 Aug. 4,1942. J LIENAU ETAL 2,291,971

' MATERIAL HANDLING APPARATUS Filed June 15, 1940' a Sheets Sheut 51942- J. H. LIENAU EI'AL 2,291,971

MATERIAL HANDLING APPARATUS s Sheets-Sheet a Filed June l5, 1940 .J W lL v 1942- ,J. H. LIE NAU ETAL 2,291,971

. MATERIAL HANDLIRG APPARATUS Filed June 15. 1940 's Sheets-Sheet 7awe/WM! JEL z'enaw MJJfiunwn Patented Aug. 4, 1943 UNITED STATE S PATENTOFFICE MATERIAL HANDLING APPARATUS Jacob H. Lienau, New York. and JacobJ. Neuman, South Salem, N. Y.

Claims.

sel or other carrier and conveyed to a storage means.

This invention is an improvement over the conveyor system and monorailhoist disclosed in my Patent No. 1,988,855 and divisions thereof.

An object of this invention is to provide a system of traveling hoistsand conveyors associated therewith for handling materials in bags orother containers.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved travelingconveyor in the form of a stabilized sling.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a means fordamping the swinging or oscillatory movement of the hoist or conveyor atthe point where the material is weighed, so as to permit accurateweighing of the material.

A further object of this inveniton aims to provide a means forautomatically reducing the speed of travel of the loaded hoists when thehoist approaches the weighing station.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention will be morefully described hereinafter, and will be more particularly pointed outin the claims appended hereto.

In the drawings, wherein like symbols refer to like or correspondingparts throughout the several views:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the general conveyor arrangement orsystem embodying this invention.

Figure 2 is a detail side elevation of a hoist used with this invention.

Figure 3 is a detail end elevation of the hoist.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary top plan of the hoist.

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary'end elevation of the hoist.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary side elevation of a Figure 13 is an enlargedvertical section of the braking means shown in Fig. 12.

Figure 14 is a diagrammatic view of the electric circuits embodied inthis invention.

Referring to the drawings and first to Figure 1, the numeral 25designates generally a wharf or pier which has moored along side thereofa vessel designated V. The dock or wharf 28 has mounted thereon adjacentthe vessel V, a pair of looped rails or tracks ll and 21. These rails ortracks 26 and 21 are. supported by means of a supporting structuregenerally designated as 28. This supporting structure comprises a pairof longitudinally extending frame members I! and which are connectedtogether in parallel relation by means of a plurality of transverselyextendingsupporting beams ii. The horizontal frame structure comprisingthe beams 29, 30 and 3|, is supported above the surface of the pier ordock 25 by a plurality of vertical posts or supporting members 32.

The tracks or rails 26 and 21 are formed from I beams, and includeparallel longitudinal rail members 33 and 34, and an outer end andsubstantially semicircular connecting member II connecting the outerends of rails 33 and ll to gether. The track 21 comprises side orlongitudinal rails 36 and 31 which are secured to the frame structure 28on the under side of the transverse beams 3|, and the outer ends of therails 36 and 31 are connected together by means of an arcuate andsubstantially semicircular connecting rail 38. The rail 33 is inalignment with the rail 36 and the rail 34 is in alignment with the rail'31. a

At the inner or confronting ends of the rails 33, 36, 3|, and 31respectively, there are positioned a pair of stub rails 39 and 40 whichare supported from angled beams II and 42 respectively. An arcuate rail43 is secured to the under sides of the beams 4| and 42, outwardly fromthe adjacent ends of the rails 39 and III, and is adapted to beconnected by means of switch structures, as will be hereinafterdescribed to the inner or adjacent ends of the rails 33 and 3|. A

second arcuate rail 44 is secured to opposite beams ll and 42, and isadapted by means of switch structures, to be hereinafter described, tobe connected to the adjacent or inner ends of the rails and 31. Therails 39 and ll are adapted to be used when the hereinafter describedswitch is moved to a position to cut out the arcuate rails l3 and 44,and thus form along :ndless track including the rails 33, 8|, II, and

A plurality of combined hoists and carriers I I6 are mounted on therails 26 and 21 and are adapted to carry a load of bags B in slings. Theslings carried by the carrier are moved past a weighing station W wherethe load is weighed, and it will be understood that each rail section 26and 21 is provided with a similar weighing station at a suitable pointon. the shore side of the rails. After the carriers H6 pass the weighingstation W, they move along the rail 34 to an unloading station U, atwhich point there are positioned a pair of endless conveyors III and H2.These conveyors III and H2 are positioned at right angles to the rail 34and discharge the bags onto conveyors H3 and H6 respectively. Theconveyors H3 and I I4 are of the bag discharging type more fullydescribed in my Patent No. 1,911,525.

Referringnow to Figures 4 to 8 inclusive, there is disclosed thedetailed construction of the hoist and load stabilizing structuresincluding the carriage'which engages the monorail. The carriage orcarrier includes a frame structure I21 which is provided at its frontend with a forwardly projecting extension I28 terminating in an enlargedhead I29 carrying a bumper I36. The rear end of the frame I21 includesan extension I3I terminating in an enlarged head I32 in which a bumperI33 engages. The frame I21 is provided at the front portion thereof witha pair of upstanding plates I34 and I35 between which two pairs offlanged wheels I36 and I31 are journaled. The rear extension I35 hassecured thereto a, truck frame structure including upstanding plates I38and I39 between which two pairs of flanged wheels I46 and "I arejournaled. These wheels are adapted to engage the lower flange I42 ofthe mono-rail on opposite sides of the web I43. The front truckstructure including the plates I34 and I35 and the two pairs of wheelsI36 and I31 form the driving means for the carrier.

A motor I44 is supported below the forward truck and is operativelyconnected to the forward pair of wheels I36 by a reduction gearstructure mounted in the housing I34.

A bowed spring or resilient bumper I46 extends rearwardly of the reartruck comprising the truck plate members I38 and I39, and this bowedspring I46 is provided with returned end portions I41 and I48 which aresecured by fastening members I49 and I56 respectively to the plates I38and I39 respectively. A spring I5I i secured by fastening means I52 tothe spring I46 forwardly of the plate I36 and is secured by fasteningmember I53 to the forward portion of the.plate I38. A second spring I54is secured by a fastening member I55 to the spring I46 opposite from thefastening member I52 and the forward or upper end of the spring I 54 issecured by fastening member I56 to the rear end of the plate I39. Inthis manner the spring I46 is resiliently supported at the rear end ofthe frame structure I21.

A pair of depending bars or arms I51 are secured to the under side ofthe frame I21 and a motor platform I58 provided with upwardly projectingside members I59 is secured to the depending members I51 by fasteningmembers I66. The platform I58 is provided with a pair of downwardlyextending plate I6I between which a tubular equalizing member I62 isslidably mounted. This equalizing member I62 is substantially square intransverse section, and includes side plates I63 and I64, and end platesI65. The side plates I63 and I64 are of substantially flat configurationbeing provided with an upwardly reducing upper end portion I66 throughwhich a, shaft I61 engages. The shaft I61 is loosely mounted in avertically disposed slot I68 carried by a plate I69 secured to thedepending mem-' ber I6I adjacent the lower portion thereof and theequalizing member I62 is adapted to gravitatingly move downwardly tonormally hold the shaft I61 in the lower end of the slot I68.

'The platform I58 is provided with a hoisting motor I16 connected to areduction gear I1 I, and a winding drum I12 1 connected to the gear "I,and is positioned between the plates I59.- A flexible hoisting cable I13is wound about the drum I12 and connected at one end, as at I14, to adepending member carried by the platform I58.

A sheave I15 engages the cable I13 and is provided with a hook I16 towhich the sling may be secured. When the sling is-engaged with the hookI16, the motor I16 is operated to wind the cable I13 on the drum I12 anddraw the sheave upwardly into the tubular equalizing member I62. Whenthe upper end of the load carried by the hook I16 engages the lower endof the equalizer I62 the tubular member I62 will be moved upwardly forthe distance permitted by the length of the slot I68. The swingingmovement of the equalizer I62 is retarded by means of an air cylinderI15 secured as by fastening member I16 to an angle bar or support I11which is fixed to the plate E63. The cylinder I15- has a, plunger I18slidable therein which is secured to a plunger rod I19 extending throughthe head or upper end I86 of the cylinder I15 The plunger rod I19 isslidable through guide members I8I and I62 which are secured to theplate I63 in vertically spaced apart relation and.

the upper end of the rod I19 is provided with a head I83. An abutmentI84 i secured to the lower end of the plate I69 and is preferably ofconvex configuration, and disposed in the path of the head I83 so thatwhen the equalizer I62 is drawn upwardly the head I83 will engage theabutment I84 and thus moves the plunger I18 downwardly in the cylinderI15.

The plunger I18 includes a cup shaped flexible member I65 having upperand lower plates I86 and I81 respectively which engage the upper andlower faces thereof and upper and lower tightening nuts I88 and I89 arethreaded onto the rod I19. The rod I19 is provided with a bore I96opening through the lower end thereof and is also provided with alateral passage I9I communicating with the upper'end portion of the boreI96. A valve seat I92 is formed in the lower end of the bore I96 and aspherical valve I93 is adapted to engage on the seat I92. A plug I94provided with longitudinal openings I95 is threaded into the lower endof the rod I19 and is adapted to hold the valve I93 in its lowermostopen position. The upper nut I88 is provided with a horizontal passage I96 which is adapted to communicate with the opening I9I, so that air inthe upper portion of the cylinder I15 maybe vented through the passageI96. passage I9I, and downwardly through the bore A hoisting motorcontrolling switch I91 is socured to the plate I64 and is provided withan operating arm I98 having a roller'l99. A second slidable rod 266 ismounted in guide members 26I and 262 fixed to the outer side of theplate I64 and a cushioning spring 203 is disposed about the rod 200between the guide members 20I. A collar 204 is fixed to the rod 200 andbears against the upper end of the spring 203. The lower end of thespring 203 bears against the lower guide member 202. The spring 203constantly urges the rod 200 upwardly. A spring 205 is disposed aboutthe piston rod I19 between the guide mem bers I6I and I82, and acollar'206 is fixed to the rod I19 and bears against the upper end ofthe spring 205. The lower end of the spring 205 bears against the lowerguide member IBI. An L-shaped bracket 201 is fixed to the lower end ofthe rod 200 and is disposed in the path of the roller I99 carried by theswitch operator I93 so that upward movement of the equalizer I62 willeffect engagement of the roller I19 with the vertical leg of the bracket201 to thereby move the lever or arm I96 to a circuit breaking positionand thus stop the hoisting motor I10.

A cable 209 is connected to the switch structure I91 and engages throughthe outer end of a supporting arm 209 which is pivoted as at 2l0 to theplate I64 adjacent the lower end thereof. The arm 209 is yieldingly heldin a substantially horizontal position by means of a sp 2 which issecured at one end to the outer end of the arm 209 and at the other endas at 2I2 to the upper portion of the equalizing structure. The arm 209is adapted to support the cable 209 laterally of the load which iscarried on the hook I16. A compound switch structure 2I3 is connected tothe lower end of the cable 209 and a strap 2 engages an eye 2I5 carriedby the lower end of the switch structure H3. The strap, 2, is adapted todepend downwardly in a position where it may be grasped by a workman topull the switch structure 2I'3 downwardly in order that the motor I maybe operated in the desired manner, and in order that the motor I44 mayalso be operated in the desired manner.

The motor I44 is adapted to receive its electric current from a pair oftrolleys 2I6 and 2" which are supported by means of transverse bars 2I9and insulators 2I9 and 220 respectively from the upper flange 22I of themonorail structure. A transversely disposed stub shaft or supportingmember 22I' is secured to the plate I39 and a second stub shaft 222 issecured to the plate I38 of the rear truck structure. A rock lever 223is rockably mounted between a pair of ears 224 which are fixed to theshaft 22I, and a second rock lever 225 is rockably mounted between ears226 fixed to the shaft 222. 221 is pivotally carried by the upper end ofthe lever 223 and a shoe 229 is pivotally carried by the upper end ofthe lever 225. A downwardly projecting rod 229 is fixed to the lever 223and slidably engaged through a bracket 230 carried by the supportingstructure 224. A spring 23I is disposed about the rod 229 and is adaptedto yieldingly hold the shoe 221 against the trolley 2I6. A depending rod232 is secured at its upper end to the lever 225 and is slidable througha guide 233 extending from the supporting structure 226.

A spring 234 is disposed about the rod 232 below the bracket 233 and istensioned by means of a nut 235. In this manner the shoe 226, and

the same is true of the shoe 221, may be tensioned against the trolley2I1. A conductor or wire 235' is connected to the shoe 226 and isconnected as will be hereinafter described to the motor I44. The shoe221 is also provided with a similar conductor as will be seen from thedia- A shoe or wiperv grammatic view of the electric circuit which isconnected to the motor I44 and also to the motor The hoist motor I10also hasconnected thereto a limit switch 229 which is supported from theframe structure including the depending members I6I and I64. This switchstructure is provided with an operating arm 230* and a spring 23!constantly urges the switch arm 230' to a switch closing position. Ahorizontally disposed guide member 232 is secured to the lower end ofthe frame member I6I and is provided at its outer end with an eye orguide 233. A flexible member 234 is secured at its upper end to theswitch arm 230 and extends downwardly through the eye 233. A flexibleextension 235 is connected to the lower end of the chain or flexiblemember 234 and is positioned at a point convenient to the operator, andmay be used in preference to the switch structure 2I3.

The motor I44 which moves the hoist or carrier I21 along the rail isconnected to switch members 252 and 253 which are secured by means of asupporting arm or bracket 254 to one side of the motor frame or platformI56. The switch structure 252 includes an arm 255 provided with a rolleror shoe 256, .the purpose for which will be hereinafter described andwhich is adapted to move the arm 255 to a circuit breaking position.This switch 255 is normally held in a circuit closing position by meanswell known, in the form of a spring or the like. The switch 253 includesan arm 251 and a shoe or roller 259 which is carried by the arm 251. Theswitches 252 and 253 are supported laterally of the hoist and areadapted to contact with a switch arm depressor as will be hereinafterdescribed for the purpose of stopping the movement of the hoist 0rcarrier at a predetermined point along the length of the track ormonorail.

A pair of normally closed switches 259 and 260 are carried by asupporting bracket or arm 26I secured to the hoist structure oppositefrom the switches 252 and 253. The switch 259 operates to automaticallytake up slack in the flexible member I13 and the switch 260 operates toautomatically operate the lowering mechanism at a predetermined point inthe movement of the hoist. The switch 259 includes an operating arm 262carrying a roller or shoe 263. The switch 269 has an operating arm 264carrying a roller or shoe 265. In order to provide a means whereby thehoist may be stopped at predetermined points along the length of thetrack or monorail, I have provided a pair of switch engaging shoes 266and 261 which are disposed in the path of the movement of the rollers256 and 256 respectively. The shoe 266 is carried by an L-shaped slidemember 260 which is slidable in a vertical guide 269. The slide member266 at its upper end is provided with a pair of laterally projectingarms 210 and 21I and the arm 2" is provided with an opening 212 throughwhich one end of a flexible operator 213 is adapted to engage. Theoperator or cable 213 is trained over a pulley 214 which is supported asat 216 at the upper end of the guide member 269. A horizontally disposedsupporting arm 216 is secured to or formed integrally with the guide 269and engages over the upper flange 22I' of the rail. The arm 216 isprovided at the free end thereof with a hook or returned portion 211which engages about an edge of the upper flange 22I and a clamp 219which is tightened by means of a clamping .bolt 219 engages beneath theOprsite edge of the flange 22I so as to hold the supporting arm orbracket 218 in adjusted position at a predetermined point along thelength of the track Or monorail.

The shoe 261 is secured to the lower end of an L-shaped slide 288 whichis slidable in the guide 269 and a flexible member 28I is secured at oneend to the upper end of the slide 288. The two flexible members 213 and28I are connected toa tensioning spring 282 which is secured by afastening means 283 to a beam or other stationary member 284 at one sideand above the rail. In order to provide a means whereby a select one ofthe two shoes 266 or .261 may be held in in-' of these pulleys 214 andthat. under normal conditions the flexible member 213 will be engagedover one of the pulleys 214 and the flexible memher 2 will be engagedover the other of the pulleys. In practice, however, one of these shoes266 or 261 will be held in disengaged position while the other of theshoes will be in its lowermost or switch engaging position so that whena selected switch 252 or 253 is in circuit with the motor I44 contact ofthe roller with a depressed shoe will affect breaking of the circuit tothe motor I44 and thus stop the hoist at a predetermined point along therail. A flexible operating cable 286 is connected to the cable orflexible member 213 and a branch 281 is connected to the cable 286 andto the flexible member 28I. This operator 286 is adapted to extenddownwardly to a convenient position so that if desired both shoes 266and 261 may be simultaneously raised or if one of these shoes is in araised position the depressed shoe may be raised to an in- I operativeposition.

An automatic starter 288 is carried by the hoist frame and is adapted tobe connected to the motor I44 in order to provide means for starting orreversing the motor I44. A second automatic starting device andreversing means 239 is also carried by the hoist frame structure and isadapted to be connected to the hoist motor I18.

These starting devices 288 and 289 are of conventional and well knownconstruction and it is believed that a further description of thesestarting devices is not necessary.

In Figures and 11 there is disclosed a slightly modified construction ofa load stabilizing member wherein the motor frame member l58a .undueswinging movement by means of springs 292 and 293 which engage about thebolts 238 and 29I respectively. The bolt 298 has a tensioning nut 294engaging against a, washer 295 which bears against the outer end of thespring 292 and the inner end of the spring 292 bears against a washer296. A friction plate 231 is secured to the outer face of the dependingplate I6Ia and'a second friction plate 298 is secured to the inner faceof the plate I6Ia. .A friction plate 299 is secured to the adjacent sideof the stabilizer I6Ia and bears against the plate 298.

, nected to the field 338 of the motor I44.

A spring tensioning nut 388 is threaded onto the bolt land a washer 38Iis interposed between the nut 388 and the outer end'of the spring 293. Awasher 382 is interposed between the inner end of the spring 293 and afriction plate 383 secured to the outer side of the depending memberI64a. An inner friction plate 384 is secured to the inner side of thedepending member I64a and frictionaliy bears against a plate 385 whichis secured to the adjacent side of the stabilizing member I62a. It willbe apparent from the foregoing that the tightening of the nuts 294 and388 will tension the friction plates against each other so as to providea braking or dampening means to prevent undue swinging movement of thestabilizer I62. A switch I91w comprising a limit switch for the hoistmotor is mounted on an L-shaped bracket 386 secured to the upper end ofthe plate I64a and an operating arm l98a is carried by the switch I91aand connected to the bolt 2.9I by means of a chain 381 having a spring388 interposed between the ends thereof.

The lower end of the chain 381 engages a head pin 389 which is carriedby the outer end of the. bolt 29I. t

The switch arm I98a is provided with a stop lug 3) adapted to limit thedownward swinging movement of the arm I88a when the bolt 29I is in itslowermost position.

A switch member 3 is supported from the front truck plate member I34 ina position for engagement with a bumper I46 of a preceding hoist, and isprovided with an operator 3I2 proiecting forwardly of the switch 3 whichis adapted to engage a bumper I46 so as to move the switch 3 in acircuit breaking position. This switch 3 is normally held in closed position and is connected to the traveling motor I44.

Referring now to the schematic diagram shown in Fig. 14 the shoe 221 isadapted to be connected to conductor 33I which is connected to anarmature 332 forming part of the starter 288. A fuse 333 is interposedin the conductor 33I. The shoe 228 is connected to a conductor 334 whichis connected to a thermo overload structure 335. This overload structurecomprises a coil 336 which is connected to the conductor 334 and isconnected to a conductor 331. The conductor 331 is con- The starter 288includes an electromagnetic coil 339 connected at one side by a wire 348to the conductor 33I. I connected by a wire 3 tothe movable arm 342 ofthe switch 2I3. A wire 343 connects one side of the field 338 of themotor I44 to a contact 344- associated with the armature or movablestarter member 332. A plurality of contacts 345 are connected togetherby means of wires 346 and provide a step up means for connecting theconductor 33I with the conductor 343. A

,wire 341 connects the overload switch 335 ,with

one side of an electromagnetic coil 348 and the other side of theelectromagnetic coil 348 is connected by a wire 349 to the switch 3l2. Asecond electromagnetic cell 368 is connected at one side by a wire 35Ito the wire .341 and at the other side by a wire 352 to a contact 353 ofthe switch 2I3. A wire 354 connects the wire 343 with a contact 355 ofthe switch 2I3.

The other side of the coil 339 is through the conductor 243 to the ileld999. A contact 262 is connected by a wire 362 to the oppositc end of thefield 330. The contact arm 356 is connected by a wire 364 to the contactarm 969 which is connected by a wire 365 to the armature of the motorI44. The contact arm "6 is connected by a wire 366 to the contact arm361 which is connected by a wire 361 to the opposite side of the motorI44. A contact 369 is disposed in a position tor engagement with thecontact arm 366 and is connected to the wire 26!. A contact 369 isdisposed in a position for engagement with the arm 369 and is connectedby a wire 310 to the held 399.

The switch 2I3 includes a contact 31I which is connected by a wire 912to the switch 253. A wire 913 connects the switch 253 with a manualswitch 214. A wire 315 connects one side of the switch 259 with one sideof switch 252 and a wire I16 connects the switch 214 with a secondmanual or shuntingswitch 311. A wire 318 connects the wires 31! and 316'together between the switches 352 and 352 and the switches 314 and 211.The switch 262 is connected by a wire 319 to the switch 3I3 and swim 380is connected to the switch 911 and the wire 319. The switches 214 and011 are provided so that either armature or the motor I and a wire 0connects the opposite side or the armature I10 with the wire 4 I 6.

A switch arm H9 is associated with and movable with the arms 409 and 401and is connected by a wire 420 to one side of the switch 259. A

3 contact 42I is associated with thearm M9 and of the switches 359 or352 respectively may be shunted out so that the circuit breaking shoes261 and 266 respectively will be inefiective in breaking the electriccircuit to the motor I44 and thus permit the hoist to travel to apredetermined point.

The switch 2I3 includes a second switch structure 2I9a which as shown inFig. 14 is connected to the motor I10. The switch 2I3a includes a wiperIll which is connected by a wire 992 to the wire "I. A contact 989carried by the switch 2I9a is connected by a wire :64 and a wire 365 toa reversing switch structure 269. The wire 306 is connected to a contact906 which is associated with an armature 961 connected by a wire '3 tothe switch 209.

connected by a wire 422 to the opposite side of the switch 259. A wire423 connects the wire 420 with the wire 399.

The switch structure 2I3a also includes a contact 424 which is connectedby a wire425 to the wire 388 and also to one side of the switch 260. Theopposite side of the switch 260 is connected by a wire 426 to the wire384. A fuse 421 is interposed in the conductor 334 adjacent the shoe226.

The limit switches 394 and 391 are mounted in a housing 429 and areoperatively connected with the drum I12, and are adapted to limit theverticalmovement of the hoist in opposite di rections. The opposite sideof the switch 259 is connected by a wire 429 to the switch structure Inorder to provide a means whereby the travelling slings or carriers mayhave the momentum thereof reduced or braked as the slings or carriersapproach'the weighing stations W, the

trolleys 2I6 and 2I1 adjacent each weighing station will be providedwith reduced electric curmoved is disposed in ,fore and aft holds theves- The reversing structure 269 includes a pair of electromagneticcoils 969 and 390. The coil 369 is connected at one side by a wire 39Ito a limit switch 992 which has one side thereto connected to the wire964. The other side or the coil 369 is connectedby a wire 99! to a wire394 connected to one side of the coil 390 and to an overload switchstructure 296. The other side ot the coil 300 is connected by a wire 396to one side 0! the switch I91. The switch I91 is connected on theopposite side to a second limit switch 991 by a wire 390. A wire 399connects the other side of the limit switch 391 to a contact 4ll tormingpart of the switch. 2 I 3a. A wire III is connected to the wire 399 andto the switch structure 229. A wire 402 is connected through theoverload switch 396 to the wire 334 and to the held 400 or the motorI10.

The switch structure 966 includes a pair of.

switch arms 404 and 406 associated with the coil 3" and a second pair ofswitch arms 406 y and m associated with the coil :90. A contact 406 isconnected by a wire 409 to the wire "I and a contactlll associated'withthe arm 406 is connected by a wire 4 to the field 403. A contact 2 isconnected to the wire 409 and is associated with the am 406. A contact4|! is ted with the arm '401 and connected by a' wire 4 to the field403. A wire 5 connects the arm 464 with the arm 401 and a wire 6connects the arm 466 with the arm 40!. A wire sel is moored with thecenter of the vessel adjacent the inner ends of the looped railsections. It will thus be seen that with most vessels at least someportlon oi each endless rail section will be positioned adjacent theunloading point. At the point where it is desired to stop the emptyslings which are carried by the hooks I16 there is positioned a carrierstopping means similar to that disclosed in Figs. 7, 8 and 9. When thecarrier has stopped at the desired point, the hoisting mechanism isoperated to lower the empty sling. This is done on the vessel side ofthe rail structure by pulling the cord 235 downwardly so as to close theswitch 229 to eflect a lowering of the hook I16. When the loaded slinghas been transferred to the hook I16, the switch 229 may be operated asecond time, there being two positions to this switch as shown in Fig.23, so as to elevate the loaded sling. The load will continue to rise,until the load strikes the lower end of the equalizer sleeve I62, whichat this time is in the lowermost position withrespect to the elongatedopening I60. The tubular member I62 will rise with the load until limitswitch I91 breaks the circuit to the motor I10. The travelling motor I44which at this time is de-energized by opening of a switch 266 by a shoe266 may be energized by pulling the card 266 downwardly to raise theshoe 266.

The loaded carrier will then proceed on its way around the monorailuntil it reaches the weighing station W. At this point the carrier willenter the low current ,zone so that the speed 4" connects the wire 4"with one side or the 76 of the carrier will be reduced until it againstrikes a shoe 266 or 261 which will again break the circuit to themotor 444. Durins the movement of the loaded carrier from the loadingpoint to the weighing station, the load has a tendency to slacken.

286 which is adapted to engage the roller 263 and effect a closing ofthe switch 259. Closing of. the switch 259 will cause the hoisting motorI to tighten up on the load, and in addition place the braking head I83under the desired tension so as to prevent undue swinging of the loadwhen the carrier stops.

This slack, however, is taken up by providing a, suiilciently long shoeWhen the weighing operation has been completed the lowered shoe 266 maybe raised, thus again closing to the circuit to the carrier mo; tor I.When the carrier reaches the unloadmeans, a tubular member disposedabout said load carrying means, means swingably supporting said tubularmember below said carriage, a stationary brake shoe disposed below saidcarriage, and means carried by said tubular member movablelongitudinally thereof and engageing point, which is adjacent theconveyors Ill;

and ll2, a third carrier stopping means similar to Figs. '7, 8 and 9will be encountered which will stop the carrier, and at this point "theswitch 260 will be closed bya suitable shoe 261 so as to close a circuitto the motor I10 and effect an automatic lowering of the load. The loadis lowered to the limit permitted by the switch 392 able with said brakeshoe for quickly stopping the swinging movement of said tubular member.

5. In material handling apparatus,-in combination, an endless track, anoverhead trolley movable along said track, a hoist frame depending fromsaid trolley, a hoisting drum mounted on said hoist frame and havinghoisting gear,

which will automatically break the circuit to.

the motor "0.

What is claimed is:

1. A travelling hoist comprising a carriage, a, support dependinglycarried by said carriage, a winding drum carried by said support,operating means forsaid drum, a flexible member engaging said drum, asheave engaging said flexible member, an open ended sleeve engagingabout said flexible member below said drum, means swingably andslidingly supporting said sleeve from said support, a cylinder carriedby said sleeve, a plunger slidable in said cylinder, a plunger rodextending upwardly of said cylinder and connected to said plunger, 9.head carried by the upper end of said rod, guide means for said rodcarried by said sleeve, spring means constantly urgingsaid rod upwardly,and a, brake shoe fixedly carried by said support above said head andengageable by said head upon "upward movement of said rod to therebyhold said sleeve against swinging movement.

2. In an electrically operated travelling hoist, a winding drum carriedby said hoist, electrical operating means for said drum, a flexiblemember wound about said drum, a sheave engaging said flexible member, adraft formed by a plurality of articles held in a sling carried by saidsheave for engaginssaid draft, a tubular member engaging about saidflexible member below said drum, means supporting said tubular memberfor limited vertical movement, said hook adapted to lift said draftagainst the lowerend of said tubular member and raise the latter meanscarried partly by said tubular member and connected to saidoperatingmeans for stopping said operating means upon upward movement ofsaid tubular member, and a meansin the path of travel of said travelinghoist and operatively connected to said operating means for actuatingthe ,extending downwardly therefrom to sustain a load, reversibledriving means for said drum, a vertical stabilizing frame depending fromsaid hoist frame and forming a work passage for said hoisting gear, apin and slot connection between said hoist frame and said stabilizingframe permitting limited vertical movement of the latter relative tosaid hoist frame and swinging movement transversely to the direction ofmovement of said trolley, said hoisting giear adapted to lift andsustain a load against the lower end of said stabilizing frame toprevent movement of said load relative to said stabflizing frame, theload, when raised against said stabilizing frame, lifting the latterrelative to said hoist frame, means for selectively starting andstopping said trolley, and means for damping oscillations of saidstabilizing frame due to inertia of the latter when starting andstopping said trolley.

6. In material handling'apparatus, in combination, a track, an overheadtrolley movable along said track, a hoist frame depending from saidtrolley, a-hoistihg drum mounted on said hoist frame and having hoistinggear extending downwardly therefrom, driving means for said drum,

mitting limited vertical movement of the latter latter to take up anyslack in said flexible mem-' stationary brake shoe disposed below saidcarrelative to said hoist frame and swinging movement transversely tothe direction of travel of said trolley, a draft formed by a pluralityof articles held in a sling, said hoisting gear adapted to lift andsustain said draft against the lower end of said stabilizing frame toprevent movement-of said draft relative to said stabilizing frame,thedraft when raised against said stabilizing frame lifting the latterrelative to said hoist frame, means along the path of travel of saidtrolley and operatively connected to said drum driving means to actuatethe latter to take up slack in said hoisting gear created by relativemovement between the plurality'of articles and sling of the draft duringthe travel of the trolley along the track, means for selectivelystarting and stopping said trolley, and means for damping oscillationsof said stabilizing frame due to inertia of the latter when starting andstopping said trolley.

'7. In material handling apparatus, in combination, an endless track, anoverhead trolley movable along said track, a hoist frame-depending fromsaid trolley, a hoisting drum mounted on said hoist frame and havinghoisting gear extending downwardly therefrom to sustain a load,reversible driving means for said drum, a vertical stabilizing framedepending from said hoist frame and forming a work passage for saidhoisting gear, a pin and slot coniiection between said hoist frame andsaid stabilizing frame permitting limited vertical movement of thelatter relative to said hoist frame and swinging movement transverselyto the direction of movement of said trolley, saidhoisting gear adaptedto lift and sustain a load against the lower end of said stabilizingframe to prevent movement of said load relative to said stabilizingframe, the load, when raised against said stabilizin'g frame, liftingthe latter,relative to said hoist frame, means for selectively startingand stopping said trolley, and pneumatic means for damping oscillationsof said stabilizing frame due to inertia of the latter when starting andstopping said trolley. V

8. In material handling apparatus, in combination, an endless track, anoverhead trolley movable along said track, a hoist frame dependon saidhoist frame and having hoisting gear extending downwardly therefrom tosustain a load, reversible driving means for said drum, a verticalstabilizing frame depending from said hoist frame and forming a workpassage for said hoisting gear, a pin and slot connection between saidhoist frame and said stabilizing frame permitting limited verticalmovement of the latter relative to said hoist frame and swingingmovement transversely to the direction of movement of said trolley, saidhoisting gear adapted to lift and sustain a load against the lower endof said stabilizing frame to prevent movement of said load relative tosaid stabilizing frame, the load, when raised against said stabilizingframe, lifting the latter relative to said hoist frame, means forselectively starting and stopping said trolley. and brake meansincluding cooperating friction plate members on said stabilizing frameand said hoist frame for damping' oscillations of said stabilizing framedue to inertia of the latter when starting and stopping said trolley.

9. In material handling apparatus, in combination, an endless track, anoverhead trolley movable along said track, a hoist frame depending fromsaid trolley, a hoisting drum mounted on said hoist frame and havinghoisting gear extending downwardly therefrom to sustain a load,reversible driving means for said drum, a vertical stabilizing framedepending from said hoist frame and forming a work passage for saidhoisting gear, spin and slot connection between'said hoist frame andsaid stabilizing frame permitting of and preventing passage of air inthe cylinder ing from saidtrolley, a hoisting drum mounted v limitedvertical movement of the latter relative to said hoist frame andswinging movement transversely to the direction of movement of said.

trolley, said hoisting gear adapted to lift and sustain a load againstthe lower end of said stabilizing frame to prevent movement of said loadrelative to said stabilizing frame, the load, when raised against saidstabilizing frame, lifting the latter relative to said hoist frame,means for selectively starting and stopping said trolley, an aircylinder mounted on said stabilizing frame, a plunger reciprocatable insaid cylinder, an operating rod for said plunger projecting upwardlyfrom said cylinder, said plunger having an opening for passage of airfrom one side thereof to the other, spring means normally urging saidplunger and operating rod upwardly, an abutment on the under side ofsaid hoist frame in.

alignment with said operating rod and engageable by the upper end of thelatter, and a check valve in the air passage of said plunger permittingflow of ,air in the cylinder from the upper side of said plunger to theunder side therefrom the under side of said plunger to the upper sidethereof, to dampen any oscillations of said stabilizing frame due toinertia of the latter when starting and stopping said trolley.

10. In material handling apparatus, in combination, an endless track, anoverhead trolley movable along said track, a hoist frame depending fromsaid trolley, a hoisting drum mounted on said hoist frame and havinghoisting gear extending downwardly therefrom to sustain a load,reversible driving means for said drum, a vertical stabilizing framedepending from said hoist frame and forming a work passage for saidhoisting gear, a pin and slot connection between said hoist frame andsaid stabilizing frame permitting limited vertical movement of thelatter relative to said hoist frame and swinging movement transverselyto the direction of movement of said trolley, said hoisting gear adaptedto lift and sustain a load against the lower end of said stabilizingframe to prevent movement of said load relative to said stabilizingframe, the load, when raised against said stabilizing frame, lifting thelatter relative to said hoist frame, coasting means carried by saidstabilizing frame and said hoist frame and operatively connected to saiddriving means for stopping said hoisting drum when said stabilizingframe is raised a predetermined distance, means for selectively startingand stopping said trolley. and means for damping oscillations of saidstabilizing frame due to inertia of the latter when starting and stoppinsaid trolley.

JACOB H. ammo.

JACOB J. minim.

